Steve McCabe encourages local businesses to take advantage of “Wage Incentive” Scheme

Steve McCabe has encouraged local businesses to take advantage of the Jobcentre Plus’s ”Wage Incentive” scheme to reduce youth unemployment in Birmingham and the West Midlands following a visit to Selly Oak Jobcentre Plus.

Employers who take on young people may be eligible for wage incentives of up to £2,275 each.

Wage incentives are available for employers who recruit an 18 -24 year old who has been receiving benefits for at least six months through Jobcentre Plus. The programme is available to private, voluntary and community sectors and social enterprise employers.

Steve McCabe MP said: “The tragedy of youth unemployment is still not being addressed by the Government. In my Constituency alone, figures show that there are some 1,250 young people out of work. More than 300 young people in Selly Oak have been out of work for more than 1 year.

“When I visited the Selly Oak Jobcentre Plus, I heard from the staff first hand that the situation is tough for those looking for work, particularly for young people. I was told about the “Wage Incentive” scheme that can provide a cash incentive to employers to put an unemployed young person back to work.

“I really hope that the small and medium size businesses in my constituency, even micro businesses, will think about signing-up to this scheme and help to turn around a young person’s life.”